Australia Cricket / Editor / 06 February 2007 /

Australia have received a boost with the return to fitness of talented all-rounder Shane Watson.

The 25-year-old looked set to play a full part in the Ashes campaign but suffered a hamstring injury prior to the five-match series with Andrew Flintoff's men.

The Queenslander missed the 5-0 drubbing of the tourists and has yet to play in the current Commonwealth Bank tournament, but has been recalled to the side for the three-match finals with England due to Andrew Symonds' bicep injury.

Shaun Tait and Stuart Clark have been left out of the 13-man squad while Brad Hogg is retained and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch believes that Watson's return will give the already strong Aussie side even greater balance.

"Both Stuart and Shaun were unlucky to be omitted and remain very much in contention for selection in the World Cup squad," he said.

"Shane has been given a full medical clearance and has successfully returned to domestic cricket. We feel the time is now right for him to return to international cricket.

"He adds a great balance to the Australian one-day side and was an important member of the victorious Australian side at the Champions Trophy."

Australia's odds for the forthcoming World Cup have been shortening and, having been matched to small stakes at 3.9, Ricky Ponting's men are now trading at 2.56 to win the prestigious tournament for the third consecutive time, with South Africa on offer at 8.2.

England's recent mini-revival in the one-day series Down Under has seen them trade at 15.5 to win in the Caribbean, having been on offer at 23 following recent hammerings at the hands of Australia and New Zealand.

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